Vela Seeks Eligibility for Preliminaries

Ernie Vela of Mission Viejo High School has appealed a Southern Section ruling that made him ineligible to compete for the Diablos’ swim team, CIF Commissioner Tom Byrnes said.

“The appeal (to the CIF office) was made last weekend, and we have sent the material out to be reviewed,” Byrnes said. “I hope we can wrap this up this week. We’re certainly trying to move as fast as we can.”

A three-member state panel will decide whether to deny the appeal or hold a hearing.

Mission Viejo Coach Mike Pelton was hoping for a ruling today, because the Diablos are competing in the Southern Section 4-A preliminaries at Belmont Plaza pool in Long Beach.

On April 21, Vela and Amy Shaw of Capistrano Valley were ruled ineligible by Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas for attending the Canadian Dolphin International swim meet April 15-17. Athletes are not allowed to compete in international events during their high school seasons without receiving permission from the Southern Section 30 days in advance.

Mission Viejo and Capistrano Valley appealed the decision, but they were denied by the Southern Section executive committee. Shaw did not appeal further.

Mission Viejo officials contended that although a rule had been broken, the penalty was severe, and they sought to have Vela reinstated after he missed two meets.